Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1887-08-18
LYNCHlNG AT LEON.
James Reynolds Taken From jail and
Hanged by an Angry Mob.
Particulars OF One Crime which Led
20 Another--rhc Victim Dies With-
out Making u Statement.

Iron, Aug, l5,-Spccial 10 tho State
Register, EARLY Sunday morning second
and successful attempt was made to lynch
James Reynolds. the 6cnd who criminally
assaulted Mrs, j. A. Noble About one
o'clock In the morning iifty masked men
armed with q A, II. muske,s and bayon'
cts, marched into town from u westerly
direction and halted In front of the Jail
Pickots were stationed on every street in
town aud the few pedestrians as,ir were
arrested and detained TIL the hanging was
over. The mob was evidently led by
some persons who had seen service IN the
army, MS they obcyed orders promptly
aud moved with military precision, 'shc
front part OF the Jail Is occupied by
Sheriff J. w. llanold and His family NJ n
residence. The captain of the mob led
his men into the Jail enclosure, and
hearing the noise, the sheriff who was
sleeping upstairs, came TO the window
and demanded what was wanted, The
leader then stated that they had no desire
to harm anyone but that they had come
for Reynolds aud that they must have the
keys to his cell, The sheriff said that
they might get their man but that he
would never surrender the keys.
Then we will come upstairs after
them, replied the spokesman ofthc mob.
II will kill the first man who attempts H.
| will I'LL the hall 80 full that YOU will
have to clear away the dead in order to
get upstairs, was the reply aud the sheriff
placed lounge ut the head Of the stairs
aud armed with Winchester repeating
rifle, n double barrcllcd shot gun and two
revolvcrs, stood ready TO receive the mob,
His wife stood by his side TO assist him
Awed by the situation the mob retired 10
the rear OF the Jail and with slcdgu ham,
mcrs, the outside door was soon broken
open. After much difficulty the locks Of
the cell doors were broken by the heavy
blows OF slcdgc hammers Alta a. clock
the cells were opened and Reynolds was
found towering and shrinking In n cor,
ner lie had been quite sick and was un
able TO stand, lie was carried about half
mile northwest of town to II bridge
which crosses n small stream Here u
rope was placed around his neck aud he
was swung of the bridge ut 3.l5 u. M,
Just ms the Kansas City train on the &.
B, IL O.. was passing south. Reynolds
refused to make any statement, though
given an opportunity to do so. As soon
MS he was dead several shots were fred
TO call In the pickets. and soon after the
company marched out of town like well
drilled soldiers on dress parade, Reynolds
admitted that the name he had given was
fictitious. He left no clue by which his
identity may be established. lie claimed
TO be u British subject, and through his
attorney, Hon. N. b. Bullock, appealed
TO the protection of the British Consul at
Chicago. Last Saturday letter was re.
ceivcd from the consul asking for the
prisoners true name and all the facts of
the case. At o o'clock Sunday morning
the body was taken charge Of by Coroner
Gardner A jury was summoned who re.
turned the verdict that said James
Reynolds came TO his death by hanging
by rope by the neck, done by persons to
the jury unknown, and that said hanging
was fclonious.
The particulars of the crime leading M
to this lynching are about ms follows. On
the 2Sth day OF July u brutal assault WINS
made upon most estimable young lady,
the wife Of J. w. Noble, who resides
about five miles southwest Of Leon. Mr.
Noble was helping one OF his neighbors
ut threshing, leaving Mrs. Noble alone in
the house. AS she was Lighting the lamp
in the evening she was Mortified TO see
brute, who was entirely nude. approach
the screen door The iiend burst the door
and stranglcd her The news was soon
brought to Leon and the sheriff started
out Immediately. lie was successful in
finding the brute laying among u lot Of
railroad ties. lie arrested him and lodged
him In the jnil. The prisoner gave his
name as James Reynolds, and said he
was native of Canada about tfty.one
years OF age. but he refused to give much
account OF himself. lie was seen by sew
eral persons and identified by Mrs. Noble